Veterans and the Armed Forces Community at Sanctuary

Supporting Veterans

Read our Veteran's Offer brochure here (PDF 1.1MB)

Who is Sanctuary aiming to support?

Sanctuary aims to support any service leaver, veteran or member of the Armed Forces Community including:

• Residents and potential residents
• Employees and potential employees
• Reservists
• Partners, local authorities and charities

High-quality employment and training

We recognise that there are an estimated one million working age veterans in the UK and that unemployment rates for working age veterans are higher than for civilians. Through Sanctuary’s role as a major employer, we seek to offer veterans and reservists a wide range of opportunities to build a civilian career.

Supporting individuals who want to work

As part of our commitment to making Sanctuary a great place to work and being an employer of choice, we have developed an attractive employment package which veterans can benefit from. The package recognises the contribution of our employees, supports their physical, mental and financial health, and gives them flexibility to tailor their employee benefits. It provides:

• competitive pay
• a range of company paid and voluntary employee benefits
• wellbeing support and tools
• a contributory pension scheme
• employee recognition schemes

We fund an employee advice service which offers face-to-face, telephone and online counselling as well as advice and support on issues around:

• family matters and relationships
• financial, legal and consumer advice
• health, wellbeing, medical, and fitness

CASE STUDY

Working with a purpose and doing different things every day - Chris Bennett, Regional Customer Service Manager

“In 2013 I found myself with a dilemma - to stay in the Army or leave as part of the downscaling of the armed forces and take redundancy.

“So, after 16 years of service as an Artillery Observer and Adventure Training instructor, serving in Bosnia, Kosovo Iraq, Cyprus and two frontline tours of Afghanistan, I felt like it was my time to start a new chapter.

“Whilst I was leaving the forces I retrained as a Fibre Optic and Copper Network Engineer using my enhanced learning credits, but soon realised this was not for me.

“I found work straight away, but it was not the dream job I was hoping for. It was scraping barnacles off the bottom of sailing boats, but I felt that this was how my life was going to be from now on - in dead-end jobs with no purpose and no prospects.

“At this point I was feeling pretty low and that I had made a massive mistake in leaving the force. I felt I had lost a family, a lifestyle and, more importantly, my purpose.

“After jumping to another few jobs I was given the opportunity to work for Sanctuary Property Services as a Trade Supervisor in the reactive and day-to-day team.

“This was the best opportunity I could have hoped for. It provided me with work that is constantly evolving, the ability to make instant decisions, and most of all a purpose - to provide safe, secure and good-quality social housing.

“Working for Sanctuary has given me more time with my family, and the ability to plan holidays and a future without the risk of these being cancelled for any number of operational reasons.

“There is good camaraderie within Sanctuary as there are at least five ex-serving members in our region, which ensures there is always good banter in a coffee break, and a friendly ear if you ever need one.

“I have now been with Sanctuary for several years, and after applying for a manager position I am now a Regional Customer Service Manager with the Housing team.

“This role brings a new range of challenges and learning opportunities, but with the experience I have gained through my military career and my time spent with Sanctuary I will be giving 100 per cent to the role, with a bright future ahead.”

Accreditations and partners

Armed Forces Covenant

Sanctuary signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2017, a national commitment coordinated by the Government. In signing the covenant, it demonstrates that we are committed to supporting the Armed Forces community.

Career Transition Partnership

Sanctuary is registered with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP). CTP is a recruitment service  in partnership with the Ministry of Defence. The CTP provides resettlement services for those leaving the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and Marines. Regardless of time served, all members of the Armed Forces can benefit from CTP support when leaving service.

Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme – Gold Award

Sanctuary is a Gold level employer in the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). This scheme encourages employers to support defence people and inspire others to do the same. It also recognises employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the Armed Forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

We were proud and privileged to be formally awarded with our Gold ERS award in July 2026.

Forces Families Jobs

Sanctuary is registered with the Forces Families Jobs recruitment site for training, employment and volunteer roles for family members of currently serving UK military personnel.

RFEA, the Forces’ Employment Charity

Sanctuary is registered with RFEA, the Forces’ Employment Charity, to share job opportunities with a wide range of service leavers.